PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Horse Racing: Animal Welfare (3 June 2019)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural affairs, what discussions with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on the number of racehorses that die in BHA-monitored races.

Asked by:
Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour)

The Government is keen that the welfare needs of racehorses are well met, both during their racing lives and afterwards. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is responsible for the safety of racehorses at British racecourses and work alongside the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare to make horseracing as safe as possible.

However, both I and the BHA consider that more can be done to make horseracing safer which is why I have been holding regular discussions with the BHA about this. Most recently on the 14 May, I met with the BHA as well as the new independent Chair of the BHA’s newly appointed Horse Welfare Board. This was a constructive meeting where the number of fatalities of racehorses was acknowledged and both sides agreed that further action is required to tackle avoidable harm and make the sport safer.

The Board committed to doing all it can to improve welfare outcomes. I stressed the need for the BHA to develop a robust action plan that will deliver tangible results and intend to stay in regular contact with the industry to continue to press for improvements in racehorse welfare.

Answered by:
David Rutley (Conservative)
6 June 2019